Two down, one to go.

Tuesday’s win over Mercyhurst, combined with Saturday’s victory against Clarke, gave the Ohio State men’s volleyball squad and coach Pete Hanson exactly what they were looking for.

“I told them, ‘This is what we needed.’ We need three wins this week to put us a couple games over .500, and tonight’s game helped us on our way,” Hanson said Tuesday night.

OSU (6-4 overall, 2-2 Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) swept Mercyhurst, 3-0 (30-19, 30-24, 30-25) Tuesday at St. John Arena. The Buckeyes were led by outside hitter Mark Greaves and his match-high 18.5 points on 16 kills, two serving aces and an assist-block. Mercyhurst (4-5 overall, 0-3 MIVA) was led in scoring by Dave Schmidl, who recorded a team-high 14.5 points.

The Buckeyes dominated game one of the match, but let the Lakers hang around in games two and three.

“Basically we made fewer errors in game one than they did, and we made more errors in the other games,” Hanson said. “We became a little more lackadaisical with our serves. We have to start to control and eliminate these errors, and if we had done so, we would have beaten them by 11 points every game.

“We just can’t seem to carry over the consistency needed from game to game,” he said.

OSU setter Mark Peckham said although there were errors, the team is getting better.

“We showed some signs of improvement out there (Tuesday),” Peckham said. “But it’s frustrating. We have so much potential; we just need to take steps in the right direction.”

OSU middle hitter Scott Spurlock, who chipped in with 8.5 points on seven kills and three assist-blocks, agreed with Peckham.

“I think the passing (Tuesday) was better as a group,” Spurlock said. “The games seemed to flow with more continuity.”

The Buckeyes will host Loyola (6-3 overall, 2-0 MIVA) at 7 p.m. Saturday at St. John Arena, in what Hanson said is a bit of a rivalry game.

“It’s a good rivalry we’ve had with those guys for the past couple years,” Hanson said. “Our guys know a lot of their guys, so we are familiar with them.”

The Ramblers have given the Buckeyes good matches the last couple times they have played, Hanson said. He hopes the players come out ready for a battle.

“They have had our number the past few times we’ve played,” Hanson said. “I want to start seeing our guys play with a little more emotion, play with a fire in our bellies.”

The squad said it is ready for the match and is excited to possibly give Loyola its first conference loss.

“They’re a good club, and they’ve played us real tough lately,” Spurlock said. “I’m excited.”

“Loyola’s a strong team,” Peckham said. “We usually play them to all five sets. I’m really looking forward to Saturday.”